Help Us Protect Wolverines!

What to Wolverines have in common with Cheetahs, Rhinos, Lemurs, Orangutans, Lewis Woodpecker, Crocodile and Tarsiers?  All are subjects of conservation projects that are finalists for grant funding from the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund!

Zoo Boise created the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund to help preserve animals in their natural environments.  Designed to support conservation programs in Idaho and around the globe, the fund focuses on projects that help protect animals found at Zoo Boise or in their Master Plan.  Revenue for the fund comes from a 50¢ fee included in admission prices and a $5.00 fee included in their membership prices.  Zoo Boise is a leader in conservation efforts and was the first zoo in the country to create such a program!

Through the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund, Zoo Boise has $110,000 to grant to four incredible conservation organizations his fall. Each summer they accept project proposals from conservation organizations around the world. This year the Friends of
Scotchman Peaks Wilderness has partnered with Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho Conservation League on a proposal for an Idaho Panhandle Wolverine Study, and we were selected as one of the eight finalists!

Wolverines (Gulo gulo) were recently classified as ‘warranted but precluded’ for listing as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). This means the FWS thinks wolverine survival is threatened, but does not have money to pay for their conservation. The ‘effective population’ (breeding females) of wolverines in the lower 48 states is only about 35.

Last winter Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness partnered with Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to study wolverines in the West Cabinet Mountains. We put up ‘bait stations’ to photograph and obtain DNA samples from wolverines. This winter Idaho Conservation League will join us as we expand our study across the Idaho Panhandle. We will put out ‘bait stations’ in late fall (after bears hibernate) to find out where wolverines ‘hang out’ and take photos of them. Then, biologists from IDFG will attach satellite tracking collars to females to locate their dens. The data we collect will inform Forest Service policy decisions which influence wolverine survival.

Zoo Boise counts on your help to decide which projects will get funded.  The great part is that you get to select 4 projects out of the eight; naturally we would like you to support Wolverines as one of them!  Voting is open October 1 – 28, 2011.  You do not need to be a Zoo Boise member to vote, but they ask for one vote only per person. You can visit the website below, find out more details about our proposal, review the other finalists and then vote for your two favorites in each category. The 4 projects with the most votes will each receive a grant up to $30,000.

Go to Zoo Boise’s Conservation Fund webpage for more more information on projects and how to vote:

http://www.zooboise.org/zbcfprojects.aspx

We, and the Wolverines, thank you!

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Categories: Blog
About The Author:

Phil Hough is the Executive Director of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.

He has hiked the "triple crown": the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest trail (twice). He has also paddled the length of the Yukon river. Phil's love of wilderness guides him as he works to save the incrediblly wild Scotchman Peaks, one of the last and largest roadless places in northern Idaho and western Montana.

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Comments

  1. What a crock ! “Then,biologist from IDFG will attach satellite tracking collars to females to locate their dens” You geniuses better investigate the dangers of collaring any wild animal. Not to mention the fact,that the “victim”is no longer wild…tainted by man and his technology. THERE IS NO RHYME NOR REASON TO POLLUTE these wonderful creatures, and absolutely no data or proof of any kind to support the idea that collaring will be of any benefit to them,other than allow the bio-cowboys a chance to feel masculine.

  2. John, one of the biologists has lots of experience in working with wolverines. She’s held them in her arms alive, as a matter of fact, and never been scratched. Nor, do I believe, has it ever helped her feel masculine.

    As far as why we are helping with this research, and what we hope to accomplish, I commend to you the book, “The Wolverine Way,” by Doug Chadwick.

    1. Read it! Like i said, investigate the whole “collaring concept” Google what potential harm,happens to wolves in idaho and montana.
      Your statement about her not being scratched or injured by these creatures tells me they were anethesized. Hardly a ‘WILD WOLVERINE”
      These animals are not designed to be handled. Leave the wilderness to the the wild ones.
      Was invited to join your “group”,but have decided to support other organizations that REALLY want to support wilderness

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